Pawns in a Greater Game: The Buenos Aires Chess Olympiad, August - September 1939

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In 1939, the chess players hailed from countries profoundly impacted by impending war, including Germany, Poland, and France. The conflict deeply affected their lives, with Americans boycotting due to inadequate prize money and a British player nearly missing his train due to an I.R.A. bomb scare. The backdrop of the tournament coincided with significant historical events, such as the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and Germany's invasion of Poland. As tensions escalated, three English players left to escape potential U-boat attacks, while the Soviet Union's invasion of Poland occurred just before the final matches. Weaker teams were relegated to a nonexistent second league, mirroring the chaos of the time. Many players chose to stay in South America rather than return to a war-torn Europe. The aftermath was dire: three English players became code-breakers, while others faced tragic fates, including death in a lunatic asylum, murder in the Holocaust, service in the Wehrmacht, or perishing in a Soviet gulag. The Women's Championship winner was killed in a V-1 attack. Utilizing global archival resources and visits to Argentina and Uruguay, this work offers a detailed account of the Buenos Aires Chess Olympiad, reflecting the political turmoil of 1939.